Temppeliaukio Church

Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church in the Töölö neighbourhood of Helsinki. The Temppeliaukio (Temple square) was selected as a location for a church in the 1930s, but the plan by J. S. Siren, the winner of two competitions to design the church, was interrupted in its early stages because of WWII. After the war, there was another architectural competition, which was won by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen in 1961. For economic reasons, the suggested plan was scaled back and the interior space of the church reduced by about one-quarter of the original plan. Construction finally began in February of 1968, and the rock temple was completed for consecration in 1969. The interior was excavated and built into the rock, but is bathed in natural light entering through the glazed dome. The church is used frequently as a concert venue due to its excellent acoustics.